O! Osoyoos Celebrates

OKANAGAN

Maybe it’s Osoyoos’ proximity to BC’s most esteemed viticultural area. Or perhaps it’s all but inevitable in a destination resort town with so much fine food and wine to offer. Whatever the reason, Osoyoos is indeed a town for wine lovers. It started in the early 1980’s when the vines started to flourish and many orchards began converting into vineyards. Now there are more than 5 wineries in Osoyoos and new operations are opening every year. To celebrate the success and natural beauty of Osoyoos, Destination Osoyoos held their first annual fall festival, O! Osoyoos Celebrates.

The three day event started with the Red Carpet Soiree at the Nk’Mip Conference Center on Friday September 14th. A Hollywood style event, men arrived in black and whites with their ladies in beautiful gowns. Inviting the guests into the event was group of fake paparazzi, interviewing the guests amidst flashing photography while they sipped Moon Curser and Black Hills wines. The well- choreographed reception was a fun and distinctively glamorous beginning to the celebration weekend.

Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells kicked of the party with a warm welcome speech before wineries from Osoyoos and Oliver partnered with local eateries took the centre stage to promote local food and wine. The line-up was as follows:

 Oliver Twist Winery’s Pinot Gris with Ella Greek Restaurant’s chicken kebabs

Stoneboat Winery’s Pinotage with Mica’s duck rillette blinis

Hester Creek Winery’s Character Red with Terrafina’s smoked tomato chutney on basil pesto crostini

Tinhorn Creek Winery’s Gewurztraminer with Ambrosia Restaurant’s vegetable pakora

Geringer Bros. Estate Winery’s Auxerrios with Jo Jo’s Café’s chick pea salad

Jackson Triggs Riesling Icewine with fruit crumble loaf from Dolci Deli

On a perfectly sunny Saturday afternoon the Lobster on the Beach Party was held at Gyro Park on Osoyoos Lake. The event was hosted by the Rotary Club of Osoyoos and held in collaboration with Destination Osoyoos to raise funds for the new Osoyoos Splash Park. Guests were offered a bib with their whole boiled lobster and corn, and soon lobster pieces were flying through the air. Laughter and revelry were abundant as the paparazzi screened their footage from the red Carpet Soiree the evening prior, and as the sun set on the still waters, day became night and the beach party continued.

A rooftop Sparkling Sabre Brunch buffet was held at the rooftop of Spirit Ridge Vineyards Resort and Spa on Sunday morning, and was the perfect way to end a perfect weekend, overlooking the stunning vista of Osoyoos. The brunch highlight was the sabering of a bottle of Jackson Triggs Winery’s brand new ‘Entourage Sparkling Chardonnay’ with a wine glass. The resort’s culinary team created a menu showcasing fresh local ingredients such as heirloom tomato salad, roast beef with purple potatoes, a selection of fresh fruits and a peach crumble to finish. It was a delightful Sunday morning treat.

With dedicated support from Hawksworth Communications all three events were sold out. The O! Osoyoos Celebrates certainly offers the promise of continued growth and participation from more wineries, restaurants and community organizers for years to come.

O! Osoyoos Celebrates
www.osoyooscelebrates.ca